Question

How will you extract metal from low activity series and top of the activity series .explain with e.g

Answer 1

Explanation:

• the least reactive metal which are quite slow in the reactivity series are extracted by reduction of their oxides by heating alone. for example Mercury can be extracted just by heating its sulphide ore . Mercury metal is produced from the sulphide ore called cinnabar (HgS)

first concentrated Mercury sulphide Ore is roasted in air to form Mercury oxide

• this Mercury oxide is heated to about 300° Celsius to form Mercury metal and oxygen gas
• the highly reactive metals such as potassium sodium calcium magnesium aluminium are extracted by the electrolysis of their molten chloride or oxides during electrolysis the negatively charged electron cathode acts as a powerful reducing agents by supplying electrons to reduce the metal ions in to metals during the electrolytic reduction of molten salts the metals are always produced at the cathode
• the highly reactive metal that is Potassium sodium calcium and magnesium are extracted by the electrolysis of their molten chloride where as aluminium metal is extracted by the electrolysis of its molten oxide for example extraction of sodium metal
• when electric current is passed through molten sodium chloride it decomposes to form sodium metal and chlorine gas